Finding the Why in Civil Engineering

Civil engineering isn’t just about concrete and calculations—it’s about people, purpose, and the long game. In this episode of 21st Century Engineer, Dr. Dennis Truax welcomes Josh Burnett, founder of Redesign Studio LLC, to talk through the real-world challenges and mindset shifts required in civil infrastructure today. From struggling to find a job after college to cutting millions in development costs through smarter planning, Josh shares hard-earned lessons on purpose, ethics, communication, and leadership. If you're an engineer asking bigger questions about your work, your impact, and your “why”—this episode’s for you. 00:00 – Welcome to the 21st Century Engineer Podcast 01:23 – Josh’s path after college & recession-era job hunt 04:41 – What land development taught Josh about humility 07:52 – “What does that number even mean?” – The question that changed everything 10:18 – Why Josh’s first “why” was selfish—and what replaced it 13:25 – Lowering home costs through smarter land planning 15:32 – Ego, ethics, and knowing when to walk away 18:48 – Civil engineers vs regulators: Who’s responsible? 21:09 – The rare value of a mentor who won’t crush you 24:05 – On introversion, communication, and relationship-building 27:10 – Josh’s growth as a communicator & learning rhetoric 30:35 – Why engineers struggle to say “I don’t know” 32:18 – Engineering mistakes, humility, and owning what’s next 34:59 – Civil engineers control construction costs more than anyone 37:47 – Planning smarter: How Josh saved $1.3 million 40:30 – How civil engineers undervalue themselves—and how to change that 43:05 – Why this next decade could be huge for civil engineers 46:20 – Final thoughts: Be ready, be excellent, and mentor someone 📍 Guest: Josh Burnett, Founder – Redesign Studio LLC 🎙️ Host: Dr. Dennis Truax, Former ASCE President & Engineering Educator 💬 Drop a comment: What’s your “why” as an engineer? 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations from the frontlines of engineering. 🕒 Timestamps (Chapters)